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Possible good news for Phuket visitors! This story, just published in The Bangkok Post
This sounds promising and we will have to monitor to see if this will have an impact.
DSI names Phuket tourist-scam targets
Published: 9 Aug 2013 at 19.32 Online news: Local News
PHUKET - The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has signalled the start of a major crackdown on crime against tourists by taking the unusual step of naming 11 people and groups it says are among the culprits.
DSI chief Tarit Pengdith released the list of names (see end of story) at a media briefing on Friday though he did not mention any names in his remarks.
However, he said his investigators had been keeping a close eye on scams and extortion on the resort island and warned of legal action.
"The reason we released the names is to send a message to them to stop," said Mr Tarit, who claimed the department had evidence linking those named to harassment and rip-offs of tourists.
The announcement coincided with the opening of a new centre launched on Friday to crack down on tourist scams on the island.
The DSI serves as the lead agency for the new Centre for Preventing and Suppressing Organised Crimes Targeting Tourists. DSI officials will work at the centre along with police and other agencies involved in tourism.
The first centre has been set up at Phuket international airport and another will open in downtown Phuket; both will operate around the clock.
There are plans to open similar centres in other favourite tourist destinations including Pattaya.
The government was finally goaded into action earlier this year when a group of European ambassadors issued a public demand for better protection of the citizens of their countries.
Complaints have persisted for years about crooked taxi operators and others who abuse tourists. Among the most notorious are the jet-ski scam artists, who accuse tourists of damaging their rented units and demand huge sums for repairs, sometimes using threats of violence.
Operators of some taxi ranks were called to the centre on Friday and told to submit documents verifying their vehicles and drivers.
Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Pureesrisak, who joined the DSI and other officials in introducing the centre, said now was the time for those damaging reputation of Phuket to stop.
"If they can stop, they should do so because we want to see Phuket to be a paradise for tourists," the minister said.
The minister and the DSI chief also warned foreigners carrying out underground businesses or running scams in tourist destinations would be the targets of the crackdown.
Russians, Koreans and Chinese have been active in Phuket and Pattaya with some using Thais as nominees in setting up businesses to con foreigners, they added.
The EU diplomats who visited Phuket and called for improvements identified transport, safety and jet-ski scams as their top concerns.
Tourists from Europe, including non-EU members, totalled 4 million last year, up 6% from 2011. Phuket was one of their favourite stops in Thailand.
The list released by the DSI consists of the following:
Saen Charoenmit; Thammawat Wongcharoenyos; Siva Siangyong; Pien Keesin (mayor of Patong) and Prab Keesin (Mr Pien's son); the Southern Tourist Business Association; Limousine Call Center Ltd; and the operators of taxi stands at the following locations: in front of the Jungceylon shopping centre in Patong, Avista Phuket Resort and Spa on Kata, Dalar Resort Bangtao Beach, and Baan Bang Duk, Mai Khao.
Published: 9 Aug 2013 at 19.32 Online news: Local News
PHUKET - The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has signalled the start of a major crackdown on crime against tourists by taking the unusual step of naming 11 people and groups it says are among the culprits.
DSI chief Tarit Pengdith released the list of names (see end of story) at a media briefing on Friday though he did not mention any names in his remarks.
However, he said his investigators had been keeping a close eye on scams and extortion on the resort island and warned of legal action.
"The reason we released the names is to send a message to them to stop," said Mr Tarit, who claimed the department had evidence linking those named to harassment and rip-offs of tourists.
The announcement coincided with the opening of a new centre launched on Friday to crack down on tourist scams on the island.
The DSI serves as the lead agency for the new Centre for Preventing and Suppressing Organised Crimes Targeting Tourists. DSI officials will work at the centre along with police and other agencies involved in tourism.
The first centre has been set up at Phuket international airport and another will open in downtown Phuket; both will operate around the clock.
There are plans to open similar centres in other favourite tourist destinations including Pattaya.
The government was finally goaded into action earlier this year when a group of European ambassadors issued a public demand for better protection of the citizens of their countries.
Complaints have persisted for years about crooked taxi operators and others who abuse tourists. Among the most notorious are the jet-ski scam artists, who accuse tourists of damaging their rented units and demand huge sums for repairs, sometimes using threats of violence.
Operators of some taxi ranks were called to the centre on Friday and told to submit documents verifying their vehicles and drivers.
Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Pureesrisak, who joined the DSI and other officials in introducing the centre, said now was the time for those damaging reputation of Phuket to stop.
"If they can stop, they should do so because we want to see Phuket to be a paradise for tourists," the minister said.
The minister and the DSI chief also warned foreigners carrying out underground businesses or running scams in tourist destinations would be the targets of the crackdown.
Russians, Koreans and Chinese have been active in Phuket and Pattaya with some using Thais as nominees in setting up businesses to con foreigners, they added.
The EU diplomats who visited Phuket and called for improvements identified transport, safety and jet-ski scams as their top concerns.
Tourists from Europe, including non-EU members, totalled 4 million last year, up 6% from 2011. Phuket was one of their favourite stops in Thailand.
The list released by the DSI consists of the following:
Saen Charoenmit; Thammawat Wongcharoenyos; Siva Siangyong; Pien Keesin (mayor of Patong) and Prab Keesin (Mr Pien's son); the Southern Tourist Business Association; Limousine Call Center Ltd; and the operators of taxi stands at the following locations: in front of the Jungceylon shopping centre in Patong, Avista Phuket Resort and Spa on Kata, Dalar Resort Bangtao Beach, and Baan Bang Duk, Mai Khao.
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